After a controversial call foiled Alabama the last time out, the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team will take the court Thursday night for a home matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

“The refs made the call,” sophomore guard Rodney Cooper said. “We can control only what we can control. We’re just worried about Arkansas right now.”

Sophomore guard Trevor Lacey pulled up for what would have been the game-winning shot against the Tennessee Volunteers last Saturday, but appeared to be fouled by the Vols’ Jarnell Stokes. The officials did not call anything, however, and the game was over.

A win against Tennessee would have placed Alabama in the top three in the Southeastern Conference. Now the Crimson Tide can only hope to move forward despite the controversial loss.

“Trying to get the wins on the road,” Cooper said. “Get the big wins and try to be in the top four so we can be in a good position for the SEC tournament.”

Arkansas will bring an up-tempo style of play into Coleman Coliseum. The team’s media guide boasts the “fastest 40 minutes in basketball,” a philosophy that head coach Mike Anderson adopted from his years as coach of the Missouri Tigers.

The Razorbacks are ranked second in the conference in points per game (78.3) and third in field goal percentage (.453).

“We expect the game to be up and down,” Alabama head coach Anthony Grant said. “Hopefully, we’re prepared for that. I think our guys are prepared for that. I think it could be a factor both ways. Certainly the style of play, it probably will be a game of runs in terms of the tempo and the style of play. I think our guys will be prepared for that.”

Arkansas is led by junior forward Marshawn Powell, who is averaging almost 16 points per game and just under six rebounds per game. Powell is shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and almost 44 percent from three-point range.

“He’s playing extremely well for them,” Grant said of Powell. “You look at some of the numbers he’s putting up from an offensive standpoint. He’s a guy that, to me, is just wired to score. He can really score the basketball and he’s been able to do that his whole career.”

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Also in today’s Crimson White:

Men’s tennis team to head to N.Y. to play double-header

Wins during 1st weekend supply motivation for women’s tennis team

[Column] Years of disappointment turn to excitement in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday